LNP wasted millions on reef spin campaign

The previous LNP government spent millions of taxpayer funds on polling and advertising to downplay threats facing the Great Barrier Reef and shore up their reputation on reef protection and management.

The Government can confirm budget figures show the previous government earmarked $2.4 million for its so-called ‘Reef Facts’ advertising campaign.

Environment Minister, Dr Steven Miles said his predecessor should have been concentrating on actually saving the reef instead of using taxpayer money on a glossy advertising campaign.

“When the former government started running TV ads about the Great Barrier Reef in 2014, we knew they were desperate. Now we know why: the former LNP government used taxpayers’ money to commission polling which told them that Queenslanders did not trust them to look after the Reef, and felt the Newman Government wasn’t doing enough to make sure the Reef was not listed as ‘in danger’ by UNESCO.

“I’m appalled that instead of trying to fix the reef, the LNP government tried to fix their reputation – using government resources to splash out on TV ads and social media gurus.”

Of the $2.4 million set aside for the campaign, $1.6 million was spent before the campaign was discontinued after the G20 summit in Brisbane in November 2014.

This included $647,000 spent on advertising on regional and metro television, newspapers and radio, as well as the Qantas in-flight magazine and billboards in Sydney and Brisbane.

Dr Miles said this was an unethical use of taxpayer’s funds.

“The idea that the LNP would rather spend money on spinning a story about the health of the reef instead of actually doing something to find a solution is one of the most cynical, politically motivated acts I’ve seen.”

“This money was going towards market research, advice from PR firms and social media experts.

“It’s ironic that they called it Reef Facts when so much of it is clearly spin.” Dr Miles said.

“Instead of a meaningful plan of action to protect our Great Barrier Reef, what the community got from the former LNP Government was a costly advertising strategy aimed at telling them they were wrong.”

The media and communication campaign plan written up by consultants outlined key challenges for the then government, including:

• Communicating in an environment where trust is low
• Losing the battle of ‘hearts and minds’
• Managing the implications for tourism, and business investment in and around the reef, if the “in danger” listing is applied in 2015

The LNP government’s research found Queensland residents believed:

• The government wasn’t doing enough to protect the reef
• The government was choosing the economy over the environment
• The reef wasn’t being well managed

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright 0422 580 342